JANUARY 12, 2023
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Berlin wants its casino share for police retention Would use impact grants to help with cost of officers pension system
By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2023) The Town of Berlin made its intentions known on Monday that it won’t waste any time in trying to improve police officer recruitment and retention. In a 4-1 vote, the Town Council approved a resolution to support the future use of Local Impact Grant funds — Ocean Downs Casino revenue — to cover the additional costs of funding the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS) starting on July 1, the first day of FY24. Councilmember Jay Knerr opposed the motion. Improving LEOPS has long been in the town’s crosshairs as it determines how to address its woeful retention and hiring numbers for the Berlin Police Department. Time and again, former and current members of that police department, as well See BERLIN Page 3
Contractors could see new fee in OP Work requiring permit would also mean paying for business license ANDY HARPER PHOTO
With thousands spent on cleanup, directors will consider having residents do more for themselves By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer hile many Ocean Pines residents adore its canopy of pines, oak, tulip poplars, maple and gum trees, the community’s heavily wooded landscape comes at a cost, especially in the fall, when these thousands of trees shed their tens of millions of leaves and needles. Currently, residents can rake up and bag their leaves for Republic or Ocean Pines to pick up, but because of the rising cost of this collection work,
W
Ocean Pines officials are considering two changes in the process. As outlined during the Budget and Finance Committee’s budget review sessions last week, Republic Services will pick up four bags of leaves on each trash day. Ocean Pines also sends crews out twice a week to pick up bagged leaves from Thanksgiving to Christmas on the days Republic isn’t doing collection. In addition, Ocean Pines runs a vacuum truck See DISPOSING Page 2
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Jan. 12, 2023) General contractors could need to pay a business license fee of $75 a year, and $50 for subsequent years to work in Ocean Pines if the board of directors approves a proposal coming its way in the 2023 budget. “We’ve had several issues with people saying they are licensed when they are not,” Linda Martin, senior executive office manager for Ocean Pines said last week. This will ensure that contractors working in the Pines have the proper license. “Any contractor doing work in Ocean Pines that requires a permit will have to get a business license fee,” said Martin. This includes contractors for tree removal, constructing a dock or boat lift, fencing, handicap ramp, shed, porch, or any alterations to See CONTRACTORS Page 2
DID YOUR DOCTOR RECOMMEND PHYSICAL THERAPY?
C H E C K O U T F Y Z I CA L B E F O R E YO U CHECK IN ELSEWHERE! 11204 Racetrack Rd, Suite 101 • Ocean Pines, MD, 21811 • Fyzical-Delmarva.com
Stop in for a tour or give us a call, 410-208-1525